By kathryn kerwin



Nov. l2, 1929. J. A. HEINZ FLORAL RACK Original Filed 0ct. 29,l 1926 ssheets-sheet 1 liusling, dama Kathryn .Heing Sundern.

` A Rg 17,488

J. A. HEINZ f Nov. l2, 1929.

Nov. 12, 1929. NZ Re. 17,488

Reissued Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STAT-EsV PATENT for-'Fics JuLIIr-s a.HEINZ, DECEASED, LATE'OI" rnso'rUM, ILLINOIS, BY KATHRYNTKERWIN v HEINZ,or' rEso'rUM, ILLINOIS, ANnrmin ia. HAMILL, `or CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS,l

"EXECUTORS, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENT T0 HEINZ FLORAL RACK'CO.,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CCBPOBATQLON FLORAL RACK Original Nn. 1,652,937,aaa-.a

The said invention relates to floral racks designed -for supportingfloral pieces in a come disarranged.

A further object of the invention is to p rovide a floral rack of simpleand inexpensive construction which may be placed upon a casket, or onthe Hoor upon which the casket is supported, or on other desirablesupports such as tables, chairs, or the like.

Referring to 'the accompanying drawings which are made .a part hereofand on which similar-reference characters indicate similar Figure 1 is aperspective viewof a number of floral racks disposed in displayarrangement illustrating the application ofiny invention, n

Figure 2, a perspective of one of the racks shown in Figure 1 disposedin another position Figure 3, a perspective illustrating the racksupported on thehandles of the casket in Figure 1 resting upon a flatsurface, y

Figure 4, a perspective illustrating the method of supporting the rackmounted On top of the casket in Figure 1,

Figure 5, a detail of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 4,

Figure 6, a perspective ofone vof the end racks shown infFigure 1, y

Figure 7, a detail of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 6, andp vFigure 8,a perspective of a rack in which is combined th racks ofFigure 1 which may be used inany ,of the positions shown.

In `the drawings reference character 10 in- -dicates a frame which ispreferably rectangur lar inform and constructed of wire or the likematerial. Said frame is preferably provided with rounded corners for anobvious purpose December 13, 1927, serial No. 145,060, aiedlotber '29,192s. reissue filed May 18,1929'. vSerial No. 364,259.

and` having longitudinally disposed spaced rods 11.1and transverselydisposed spaced rods 12. e The frame 10 is preferably formed of a singlepiece of material having its ends Welded or otherwise united and towhich frame the longitudinally and transversely disposed rods or wiresare Welded or otherwise Asecured to form n'eat joints. Y i v y isprovided for holding thev A support 13 frame at different angles ofinclination and such supportcomprises av substantially rectangularframe. having side standards bent around the end member of the frame toform pivot eyes 14 for connection therewith and a pluralityl oftransverse cross members 15 are provided which strengthen such support.The side members of the support which are bent around the end oftheframe forming pivot eyes 14C are preferably disposed on oppositesides of a pair of the longitudinally disposed members 11 so thatsuchsupport will be maintained centrally of the frame as shown. A brace16 is ypreferably pivoted on one of the transverse cross rodssuch bracebeing preferably formed of a single piece of Application for wire foldedcentrally upon itself with its free vtion. more closely proximating ahorizontalV plane as shown in Figure 2such shorter support 19 beingprovided with one or more cross rods 20. "With such'construction, theparts are so related that when the longer support 13 is collapsed (Fig.8) it its snugly on the under side of the rack against the crossmeinbers 11 and 12 and one of the rods 15 which connects the sidemembers of the support is disposed in closeproximity to the rod 12 onwhich the brace is pivoted and it is necessary,`

in order to hook the end of the brace over` the cross member 2() 'of thed,shorter support, to

flex the free end of the brace member upwardly whereupon it can behooked over the cross member of the shorter support where itvwill beresiliently held against any accidental disengagement.

In order to hold floral pieces on the rack, I provide a plurality ofsupporting prongs 21,'the same being preferably mounted in pairs andcollapsib e into position flat against the rack or substantially withinthe plane of the same. Each pair of said prongs constitutes theextremities of a piece of wire which extends beneath and around' one ofthe transverse members 12, across a pair of the longitudinal members 11and over and around the` cross member 12. The prongs extend outwardlyatV ,substantially right angles to the longitudinal members 11. In otherwords, each prong is formed from a piece of Wire which extends under andaround one of the transverse members 12 and is connected by a bight 22which extends across a pair of the longitudinal members l1.

These prongs preferably diverge slightly as they are Shown and as theyare arranged 1n the small framein Figure 1 they are disposed one overthe other, however, in the larger frames, as shown in Figure 6, they arepreferably disposed in staggered relation. The bight portion 22 whichconnects the prongs may extend across two longitudinal lmembers 11 orthree of such members as desired, both forms being illustrated in Figure6.

In order to support an object such as a basket or vase of iowers insubstantially horizontal position I provide a frame work or shelf whichcomprises (Fig. 7). a ring 23 having a 'diametrically disposed vcrossbrace 24 and a pair of V-shaped braces 25 and 26. The pointor angle ofthe V-shaped vbrace 25 disposed at one end of the diameter 24 and thepoint or angle of theother V- .shaped brace 26 disposed at the oppositeend of said diameter and with the diverging ends of said V-shaped brace26 extending beyond the ring and bent around one of the transverse rods12 to form pivot eyes 27. Y

' In order to provide means for holding such shelf 23 in substantiallyhorizontal position but permitting itA to be collapsed against the bodyof the rack, I provide al link 28 which has'its lower end bentaround oneofthe cross members' 12 to form a pivotal connection therewith and theopposite or upper end of said link is bent around the diameter 24 and isslidable around the same so that when the shelf or pivoted frame is inits substantially horizontal position `the upper end 'of the link willengage the sides of the V-shaped brace 26. I

If desired, an extension may be provided for the racks, said extensionbeing formed of a rim 29 having'cross members 11 and 12 i extendingrespectively transversely' and longitudinally thereof land also providedwith flower supporting prongsr 21. A pair of sheet metal members 31 aresecured to the sides ofthe extension. and are bent in substantiallyU-shape to telescope over the side 4rectangular frame with a centrallongitudinally extending rod 11 and two or more pairs of short crossrods 33. The longitudinally extending center rod forms a support for oneor more pairs of diverging prongs 21 connected together by bight'22. Atthe end of the frame -is secured a bracket 34 which comprises a wirebent upon itself at an angle of substantially 'degrees with one shorterside of said angle disposed at substantially right angles to the side ofthe frame and bent around such frame to vform a pivotal connectiontherewith, while the other side of said angle is considerably longer butis secured adjacent the middle of the frame in a manner similar to theopposite end of the bracket. This bracket permits the frame to inclineslightlywhen resting on a substantially fiat surface and in ordertopermit the frame to -be secured on the handles of a casket a hook 35 isattached to each of the upper longer legs of the bracket.

or any other object as for example a radiator or the like'and serve tosupport the frame thereon. In or'der to prevent the angle members fromscratching the sides of the casket or the furniture the same ispreferably provided withA a short section of rubber tubing 36.

A rack 10 may be provided with means for securing the same on the top ofa casket, as shown in Figure 4, such rack being provided withtransversely and longitudinally disposed cross bars order to support therack frame in position 'such frame is preferably provided with loops 37and cooperating cross bars 38, each of said loops being adapted toreceive the upstanding arm 39 ofa felt covered bracket 4() having a hook41 pivoted at one end and adjustably connected by means of a buckle 42with a strap 43 having an additional smaller hook- 44 secured at itsopposite end. The "hook, 41 is arranged to engage the rear edge ofthecasket top and the hook 44 is arranged to engage the front edge ofsuch casket top andvice versa, the straps and buckle -arrangementypermitting l This hook 35. will readilyengage the handles of a casketent sizes.

lVhile it is the intention that the racks be arranged `according to thedisplay shown in Figure l in Which four sizes of racks. are used and itis also the intention to supply the racks in sets of ten if desired,nevertheless," a combination rack (see Fig. 8) may be provided and whichis capable of use in `the capacity of either of the racks shown inFigure l.4 This rack may be stood up as the end racks of such ligure byresting the same and its support 13 on the floor and the rack 29 may ormay not be mounted thereon. The same rack may be supported by the shortsupport 19 in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. Further it may besupported. on its side by the brackets 34 or the hooks 35, as inFig. 3,or if desired it may be supported by means of the loops 37 and crossrods 38 on the top of a casket or other object.

It Will be obvious to those skilled in tlie art that Various changes maybe made in this device Without departing from. the spirit of' theinvention, and it is, therefore, not limited to What is shown inthedrawings and de scribed in the specification, but only as set forth inthe appended claims.

Having thus fully described this invention, what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent, is: r

l. A floral rack comprising a supporting frame having spaced transverseand longitudinally disposed. cross members, means for supporting saidframe in various angular .positions, means for supporting a. iioralpiece upon said frame comprising a body extending over one of said crossmembers and extending around another cross member and projectingoutwardly to form prongs, an ele'- inent pivotally connected to saidframe for holding an object to be displayed, andan element formaintaining said obJect holding elementjn substantially horizontalposition, substantially as set forth.

2. A floral rack comprising a 'supporting frame, selectively adjustablesupports of`dif ferent lengthsvconneeted with the framefor supportingthe same inY a pluralitv of positions of angular adjustment, aslielfpivoted on said frame, a rod connected at the outer edoe of said shelfand to the inner ed'e of said shelf substantially adjacent its pivotalconnection, and a link having one end connected to said frame below saidshelf and having its upper end slidable alongr said rod, substan tiallyas set forth. y

3. A floral rack comprising a supporting frame having spaced transverseand longitudinally disposed cross members, means for supporting saidframe in various angular po#` sitions, means for supporting a floralpiece u'pon said frame comprising a body extending over one of saidcross members and extending around another cross member and projectingnection, and a lin outwardly to form prongs, a shelf pivoted on i saidframe, a rod connected at the outer edge` of said shelf and to the inneredge of said shelf substantially having one end connected to said framebelow said shelf and having its upper end slidable along said rod,substanw tially as setforth.

4. A fioral rack comprising a supporting frame and brackets pivoted atthe sides of said adjacent its pivotal conf,

frame and adapted to engage a supporting.,1

surface for maintaining the fraine'in substarb tially upright position,said brackets being movable into position substantially fiat against thebody of the frame, the upper ends of said brackets being provided withhooks for engagement with objects upon which the frame is adapted to besupported, and the lower real-most portions' of said brackets beadapted'to engage vthe sides of the obl lject upon which the frame is supported,sub* stantially `as set forth.

5. The combination in a floral rack com prising a framehavingtransversely and longitudinally extending cross members. pivotedsupporting elements connected at one end of said frame for maintainingthe frame in various angular 1iositions, means connect* ed at each endof said frame for supporting' the same on its side on a `surface or lforsus pending the same, and means carried bv said frame for the receptionof an upstanding su pporting element whereby the frame may be supportedthereby, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a substantially rec tangular floral rack, asmaller floral rack of a length corresponding to the Width of saidfirst-mentioned floral rack. and a frame for connection with the largerof said racks at the end lof the same or at the side of the smallerrack, substantially as set forth.

7. A floral rack of substantially rectangw lar shape.` a` smaller iioralrack of similar shape and of a length corresponding to the vjustablyconnecting the frame and support for holding. the same relatively fixed,said member-being arranged to hold one of said folding'supports againstthe underside of the frame for reinforcing the same, substantially asset forth.

` 9. A folding floral rack comprising a main frame, folding supports ofdifferent lengths pivoted to said frame for supporting the same indifferent angular positions, and a member adjustably connecting theyframe and support for holding the same relatively l forth.

10. The combination of a ioralr-ack comprising a supporting frame, asupporting member pivotally mounted on said supporting frame forsupporting the object to be displayed andhaving object engaging prongs,and means for supporting said frame in position to display a floralpiece on a curved surface comprisinghooks adapted to engage overopposite edges of the curved surface, means adjustably connecting saidhooks', and a bracket having an upstanding arm, associated with one ofsaid hooks, substantially as set forth.

11. A floral rack comprising the combina' tion of a brackethaving anupstanding arm, means for securing said bracket on an object rality ofpositions of angular adjustment, and a supporting member loo'ped aboutthe frame for pivotal movement against the body ofthe frame, saidsupporting member having object engaging fingers, and means forsupporting said frame on a curved surface in a position. to display alloral piece, substantially asset forth.

In Witness whereof, we have hereunto set ourhands at Champaign,Illinois, this 8th day of May, A. D. one thousand, nine hundred andtwenty-nine. j

KATHRYN KERWIN HEINZ, l FRED B. HAMILL,

Emecutors of Julius A. H eine, Deceased.

with the npstanding arm in inclined position,

a rack havingmeans for engaging the upstanding arm of. said bracketwhereby the rack will be maintained in upright position for displayingfloral pieces, a supporting member pivotally mounted upon said rack forsupportinghe floral pieces to'be displayed` and having obj ect engagingprongs, substan-g tially as set forth.

12. A device of the class described comprising a frame having crossedrods thereon,

' meansfor supporting said frame in position y to display an. object, asupporting member pivotally mounted upon the frame and hav-l ing objectengaging prongs for supporting ciated with said frame for supporting anobject, substantially as set forth. l

13'. A floral rack fabricated of rods or wires having means `thereon.for supporting floral pieces, and brackets and hooks for supportingsaid, rack either` on afiat surface or `'object engaging fingers, meansto maintain the same in position of use, and a detachable extension forsaidy frame, substantially as set forth. 'Y

15. A floral rack comprising a wire frame,

the objectnto be displayed, and a shelf asso standards of dierentlengths connected with the frame for supporting the same in a plu-

